MUTUAL CORRELATIONS BETWEEN PARAMETERS CHARACTERIZING THE MISCIBILITY, STRUCTURE AND MECHANICAL-PROPERTIES OF POLYMER BLENDS

Polymer blends were prepared in the whole composition range using polymers of different polarity. Mechanical properties were characterized by tensile measurements. Surface and interfacial properties were measured and calculated and parameters characterizing the miscibility were determined. A correlation was found between the yield stress and the thermodynamic quantities characterizing the degree of miscibility. Since both the degree of miscibility and morphology are influenced by the interfacial tension, it can be regarded as the best candidate to correlate polymer/polymer interaction and mechanical properties in polymer blends.